Quotes from the Movie The Dark Knight

Do you wanna know how I got these scars? My father was a drinker...and a fiend. And one night, he goes off crazier than usual. Mommy gets the kitchen knife to defend herself. He doesn't like that. Not...one...bit. So, me watching, he takes the knife to her, laughing while he does it. He turns to me, and he says, "Why so serious?" He comes at me with the knife "Why so serious?" Sticks the blade in my mouth "Let's put a smile on that face!" And... why so serious?

The Joker

Don't talk like you're one of them! You're not... even if you'd like to be. To them you're just a freak, like me. They need you right now, but when they don't, they'll cast you out. Like a leper. See, their morals, their "code"... it's a bad joke, dropped at the first sign of trouble. They're only as good as the world allows them to be. I'll show you. When the chips are down, these uh, these "civilized people," they'll eat each other. See, I'm not a monster. I'm just ahead of the curve.

The Joker

Some men aren't looking for anything logical, like money. They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn.

How about a magic trick? [sticks a pencil into the table, point first] I'm gonna make this pencil disappear. [slams Gambol's approaching crony onto the pencil, killing him] TA-DA! It's, ah, it's gone. Oh, and by the way, the suit? It wasn't cheap. You oughta know, you bought it!

The Joker

Let's wind the clocks back a year. These cops and lawyers wouldn't dare cross any of you... I mean, what happened? Did your balls drop off? Hmm? You see, a guy like me...

The Joker

A guy like me... Look, listen... I know why you choose to have your little, ahem, "group therapy" sessions in broad daylight. I know why you're afraid to go out at night: the Batman. You see, Batman has shown Gotham your true colors, unfortunately. Dent? He's just the beginning. And as for the, uh, television's [points at Lau's image on the TV screen] so-called "plan" - Batman has no jurisdiction. He'll find him, and make him squeal. I know the squealers when I see them, and...

The Joker

No, I'm not. No, I'm not. Look, if we don't deal with this now, pretty soon little, uh, Gambol here won't be able to get a nickel for his grandma.

The Joker

We made it! [fires a shotgun into the air to get people's attention] Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. We are tonight's entertainment! I only have one question: Where is Harvey Dent? [paces around the room, pointing his shotgun at random guests] Do you know where Harvey is? I just need to ask him something, little, hmm? No? You know, I'll settle for his loved ones.

The Joker

You know, you remind me of my father. [grabs him at knifepoint] I hated my father!

The Joker

Well, hello, beautiful! You must be Harvey's squeeze, hm? And you are beautiful. Oh, you look nervous. Is it the scars? Wanna know how I got 'em? [grabs her chin as she continuously tries to look away] Come here, look at me. See, I had a wife beautiful, like you who tells me that I worry too much, who tells me that I ought to smile more, who gambles and gets in deep with the sharks. Hey. [she squirms, and he forces her to keep looking at him] One day they carve her face. We have no money for surgeries. She can't take it. I just want to see her smile again, hmm? I just want her to know that I don't care about the scars. So [Rachel tries again to look away, he grabs her face and forces her to look at him.] I stick a razor in my mouth and do this to myself. [Directs attention towards the scars] And you know what? She can't stand the sight of me! She leaves. Now, I see the funny side. Now, I'm always smiling.

The Joker

Look at you go! Does Harvey know about you and his "little bunny"?

The Joker

Choose between one life or the other: Your friend the District Attorney, or his blushing bride-to-be! [laughs as Batman punches him again] You have nothing to threaten me with! Nothing to do with all your strength! But don't worry, I'm gonna tell you where they are! Both of them, and that's the point. You'll have to choose. He's at 250 52nd Street and she's at Avenue X and Cicero.

The Joker

I told you, I'm a man of my word. Where's the Italian?

The Joker

You see, I'm, a guy of simple taste: I enjoy dynamite, and gunpowder... and gasoline!